Should I tell my employer?

[Amaseven]

Hello Everyone,

I got infected with Hep C in 1984 when I had some blood transfusions.  I didn't know I even had it until about 12 years ago.  Just recently I went in for a Biopsy, I have type 2b, Stage 2, Grade 2.  I have not started treatment yet, but I'm sure I will.  I'm worried that the treatment is going to make me really sick.  I'm currently working full time and have gone back to school full time.  My question is should I tell my employer what's going on.  I already told him that I had to go in for a Biopsy so I could get the day off.  But I'm not sure what else I should tell him.  I only have about 8 more months before I'm done with school so I'm also worried I won't be able to finish.  

[Myown]

No.

I'm never going to tell anyone that I have Hep C until they start making those same type of television
commercials that they make for people who have genitial herpes. We need the media to make commericials for hepC that make others want to have it and make them feel as if they are missing out on something by not having it. HepC infected men and women healthy looking, holding hands running on the beach, stopping kissing, bending down splashing the water on each other while their pants are rolled up like little peddle pushers, sun bleached hair. So no, don't tell anyone 'yet.' Well thats what I am going to do. I'll wait until I know that people will feel envious of me when I say I have hep c(same as I feel about people with genitial herpes) and I will NOT tell them before that day- so IMO - wait for the TV advertisements and hope for the same writers as the herpes ad's.

[justvlm]

Thanks spcecst2 & alagirl.  Thanks for helping.  I was feeling like I should be ashamed of acting like I'm ashamed of having this.  Everyone here knows it matters not how we got here, just turn around and walk calmly as possible to the exit door as quickly as possible - thanking God that we have this forum.  I guess I'm just trying to prepare as much as I can for anything that might jump up to surprise me... that must be a knee-jerk reaction to being caught so off guard 3 weeks ago with this diagnosis.

[alagirl]

The treatment is going to make you very sick.  Probably.  At least at times.  I would not advise you AT ALL to tell your employer you have HCV.  Make up anything else.  Cancer, leukemia, warts, whatever.  Just say that you are on chemo for your liver and typically people will infer all kinds of things, usually liver cancer or the like, but you can just say you prefer not to get into the details because you're "trying to stay positive."  

But if you tell even one person, they will talk.  It's just human nature.  Now if you plan on having this disease for the rest of your life, well then fine.  Maybe you can make some peace with that.  But I don't.  And I haven't decided if HCV is what I want everyone to think everytime they see me henceforth.  So, you have to do what you are comfortable with, but that's how I handled it.  I said, I am having to be on chemo for my liver.  If they asked further I acted very upset, which wasn't much of an act, trust me, and just said I found it upsetting to talk about.  So now I'm on prayer lists at every church in town for liver cancer I'm sure, but whatever.  Only medical personnel, a couple of law enforcement investigators (due to the way I got HCV) and my immediate family knows any different.

[spcecst2]

Neither the ADA nor the EEOC maintain a list of conditions that automatically qualify as a disability. There is plenty of reading out there that says you may, or may not, be covered under ADA! So be careful, and if you plan to use FLMA do some reading first!! These may reqiure some disclosure! Be careful who you tell cause once that's cats out you won't be getting it back! It's all nice to talk about educating people, but you can't make a dumb a$$, not a dumb a$$!!
http://lawblogs.slu.edu/healthlaw/?author=57 is just a sample!

[justvlm1]

I hope it's ok to post to an old thread.  Thought it easier than recreating and "already" discussed subject.  I'm pretty new to this arena, and pretty amaze at how I far come in just 3 weeks from over-the-top panic to "I'm puttin' on my battle dress and will soon be ready to kick some butt".  Well, that's actually a lot fake bravado, but at least I've climbed back off the 5th floor ledge.  To the subject at hand....

I work for a large corporation in a position I've worked very hard to get.  My department is a small, close-knit group.  One sweetie will even bring home-made chicken soup if you get a cold (won't be able to get much past her) and another is a kook for research (looks up everything).  My supervisor is a wonderful guy, but I think I have a pretty clear visual of how uncomfortable working with someone that HAS THAT VIRUS would be.  So, I've opted to not disclose the nature of the beast.  Makes me sick (note to self: add to sx) that as Robin said... if it was cancer... OMG, I'd be flooded with sympathy.  AND THE POINT IS:  What is a passable condition or disease that won't offend the dumb public that has the possible (probable) sx of tx.  I wish I could be a crusader for the cause of "Educating the mass public, or at least my office" but, alas, I'm still in the dressing room trying to find a suit of armor that fits.  Thanks in advance to all ~..~ vlm

ps I have type 2b, not recv'd my VL results yet (long thread that belong on the "is my doc stupid?") so I'm hoping for 24 weeks of tx if I have to before better meds come off the assembly line.

[ladybug52]

I belong in the 'Don't Tell the Nature of Your Illness to Anyone' club.
In fact, I'm president!
Be an advocate for the disease when your job isn't at risk. Like Deb, I trusted an employer and had to learn the hard way...